Thanks to all the great comments from Version 1.0. As such I have had a chance to watch some more college football, see more playing time, and see more of the Texans. As such, I present to you...Doppelmock: In Season Version 2.0.

1. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford, 6'4, 245lbs, 4.61

I expect the Texans to pick in the high 20s possibly even in the 30s. With that in mind, you take BPA and in my mind that is Chase Thomas. I fully expect Barwin to leave after this year. One of two things likely happens: 1. He blows up for big sack numbers and leaves due to another team wanting to sign him to a big time contract or 2. He continues his pedestrian year yet another team still throws around more than the Texans are willing to pay and he walks. With that in mind, I say follow the plan of the Giants and Steelers: keep drafting guys who can put pressure on the QB and worry about how to play them later. Chase is a great athlete. Last year he has 2 tackles with 17.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He is constantly around the QB, puttign pressure and causing havoc. He is a high motor, highly atheletic guy who would be great in the Wade defense. Added bonus: in a pinch he can also play MLB.

2 D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, 6'6, 335lbs, 5.15

Admittedly, I have been a bit disapointed with Fluker this season. Last season he looked great at pass and run blocking and I expected him to progress. Unfortunately this year, his pass blocking has dropped a bit. He has looked a little sloppy at times at pass protection, while his run blockign has been outstanding. I think its a technique issue. Bama tends to emphaisze the run, so I am not surprised he has had a little difficulty. I will be monitoring him the rest of the season, but for now I am going to stick with him. He is still very athletic and its just a matter of getting him the right kind of pass protection coaching.

3.Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky, 6'1, 265, 4.72

If you are named for the president many people consider the biggest badass to ever occupy the White House, you best be a tough SOB. Many will point to his school and conference for his inflated numbers, but he played well against Alabama (seven tackles and 1.5 tackles). He is a physical run stopper...a Ray Lewis type of ILB. He would be the perfect compliment to a Brian Cushing type LB. He is an athletic run first pass defense second kind of LB.

3. Larry Black, Jr., DT, Indiana, 6'2, 309, 5.55

This may not be a popular selection, but meet the Texans newest NT! Yes, he is not the behoumouth some of us may want, but he fits the Wade Phillips Defense. In 2011 he had 47 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2010 he had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He can shoot the gap and make plays behind the LOS. That's what Wade loves and that's why LBJ(my new nick name for him!) would thrive in this defense.

4. Isaiah Johnson, S, Georgia Tech, 6'2, 208, 4.57

Georgia Tech stinks, but Johnson is awesome. In 2011 he has 78 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, one sack and three passes broken up. In 2010 he had 46 tackles and three tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack. Keep in mind his 2010 numbers were that of a true freshman. He has good size, speed, tackling ability, and reasonably good hands. In the Texans Defense, he could start out as a monster special teams player and provide ridiculously good depth.

5.Michael Williams, TE, Alabama, 6'6, 270, 4.77

You know who I really liked that the Texans drafted in 2009? Anthony Hill. I liked the idea of having that extra big body in there for run blocking or pass blocking. Williams is that kind of guy. Sure he has the hands to be a spot receiver but he will earn his bread and butter as a blocking demon. We have seen the Texans use OT Ryan Harris as a TE in heavy sets near the goal line or in important 3 or 4th and short yardage situations this year. Having a monster TE like Williams would be even better as that is his strength. He could even be a great Special teams blocker. Williams can also run short yardage and has soft hands. He can be used in a number of ways in this system.

5.Sam Schwartzstein, C, Stanford, 6'3, 290, 5.10
A sleeper center prospect. Right now, the backup center is the starting RG. Kubes needs a center to groom behind Myers and have some reaosnably depth. Schwartzstein can b that guy. He had a good game against USC and Cal and not as good against Notre Dame and Washington. He needs time to learn and develop. What better place than behind Myers and in the ZBS system?

6.Quinn Sharp: K/P, Oklahoma State, 6'1, 205
Donnie Jones is a nice punter. Problem is he is a below average punter. In net average he is #18 of 32 punters with a net of 41.6 yards. He is an average punter when dropping it inside the 20. In comparison, Sharp has averaged over 45 yards net in his career (45.1 this year and 46.3 last year which would be top 3). Sharp also can pin the ball inside the 20 and boom touchbacks. I say upgrade the position and get a guy who can change field positions with his foot.

7.Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina, 6'0, 218, 4.50
You know what, maybe I am crazy to take a chance on a guy with such a gruesome injury. Maybe I am nuts for taking a chance on a guy who has had repeated ligament tears. But you know what, its the 7th round and I gotta take a chance. I would slap the IR tag on him for 2013 and let him completely rehab. When he was healthy this guy was a beat. A first cut and go prototypical ZBS back with enough speed to make a difference in the open field. I will take a chance on him in the 7th that he will be able to contribute in 2014.

Is Lattimore going to enter the draft? I thought I heard he was going to medical redshirt or whatever and play college ball in 2014 then enter the draft after that.

The problem for Lattimore is that he has sustained ligament injuries for 2 straight years. Does he really want to risk going back to school tearing more ligaments and potentially ending his career? I think he would prefer to go the pro route and take his chances. At least at that point he will get paid and be able to make some money.

1. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford, 6'4, 245lbs, 4.61
I don't project Chase to be a first round pick, but you never know. Convince me he could kick inside linebacker then maybe. He is a smart player, has nose for the ball, athletic enough does a great job reading defenses & picking up snap counts. I thought about him seriously with second round pick.

2 D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, 6'6, 335lbs, 5.15
Now we agree, end of second is about right. I don't see him as a guard prospect like some because he's not a natural knee bender, hey he is 335 lbs. Will struggle against outside speed in the NFL but there are very few who don't, must be coach-able to play for Sabin. I slotted him here as well in my most recent mock, so props!

3.Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky, 6'1, 265, 4.72
This is one of badboys guys, I personally don't know a whole bunch about him other than what he's written or told me. Seems like a good fit @ need position, so I can buy this one as well.

3. Larry Black, Jr., DT, Indiana, 6'2, 309, 5.55
Black is a Senior, but unheralded anyway you must feel pretty positive about the guy to select him this high when nobody has a draft-able grade on him? I just can't say on this one.

4. Isaiah Johnson, S, Georgia Tech, 6'2, 208, 4.57
Like his size for SS position, just a Junior so think he probably stays in school, could move up a couple rounds, should vie for one of the top safeties next season.

5.Michael Williams, TE, Alabama, 6'6, 270, 4.77
Don't think he lasts this late, more like late 3rd to mid 4th. Plus blocker & under rated pass catcher. Love the blocking aspect of his game almost like adding another LT.

5.Sam Schwartzstein, C, Stanford, 6'3, 290, 5.10
Like this pick. 5th/6th are excellent rounds to add a player who can help your OL depth. Right now he doesn't get a draft able grade but that should change by end of season Stanford is having.

6.Quinn Sharp: K/P, Oklahoma State, 6'1, 205
Kicker in 6th we agree once again. I expect him off the board either in 5th or 6th due to fact he can save you a roster spot. Great leg, might suggest switching Center with Kicker.

7.Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina, 6'0, 218, 4.50
How do any of us know what he's going to do? I would rehab as doctors recommend, but make sure its 100% first before playing football again. Meanwhile get that degree. If he does come out & if available end of draft, why not? From everything I've heard he has great character, is a good person even if doesn't make the team Texans could always quality people in their organization.

I am more intested in your comment we may be pcking in high 20s; which games do you have us losing to drop to 28/29?

Well, my understanding of the draft order is that once you get to the playoffs, your order is determined by where you ended up and your record. So, for example, if the Texans were to lose in the AFC champ game they would pick at 29 or 30 depending on who lost in the NFC Championship game. Since I don't know where the team will end up, I will simply guess late 20's /30s for the purpose of mock projection.

I have Htown losing to New England in NE(hope i am wrong) and the last game against the Colts. I think the Pats play up and down to their opponents. They will be ready to play hard, will be ready to go, are tough to beat at Foxborough, and have a guy named Tom Brady and The Hoodie who rarely lose big games at home at the end of the year. The Colts game figures to be a "throw away game" where the Texans rest the starters and play the backups(like a preseason game) whereas the Colts may be playing for a playoff spot and thus will do everything they can to win it.

when they pull their starters while the Colts play for a playoff spot.

6'6" and a very good athlete. I've seen him slotted around the end of the first round, but I'd trade up to get him if needed.

Surprisingly fluid in coverage. Has even gone out into the slot and played press coverage on receivers. With his height and athleticism he might be a huge help in guarding some of those bigger TE's we have trouble with.

Let barwin go in the off season and pick up Jordan to play the solb position over te's.

Uses his hands well to get off blocks in the run game as well and should be able to control the run to his side.

I think Braman is the wildcard in an OLB being drafted in the 1st . We'll see ifhe can play.

Quote:

Originally Posted by badboy

I am not a Braman hater but have not people been saying this since he became a Texan?

That's the if. He can go all out on a single special teams play where he is asked to basically do one thing. How would he handle OLB which requires pass rushing, dropping into coverage, disguising blitzes, etc? That has been the knock on Bramen thus far.

That's the if. He can go all out on a single special teams play where he is asked to basically do one thing. How would he handle OLB which requires pass rushing, dropping into coverage, disguising blitzes, etc? That has been the knock on Bramen thus far.

I'm hoping Braman pans out to get a good player at a key position on the cheap .

6'6" and a very good athlete. I've seen him slotted around the end of the first round, but I'd trade up to get him if needed.

Surprisingly fluid in coverage. Has even gone out into the slot and played press coverage on receivers. With his height and athleticism he might be a huge help in guarding some of those bigger TE's we have trouble with.

Let barwin go in the off season and pick up Jordan to play the solb position over te's.

Uses his hands well to get off blocks in the run game as well and should be able to control the run to his side.

And oh yeah...he's pretty damn good at rushing the passer.

Freak of an athlete. We need more of those.

Jordan has a lot of upside. I see him going in the mid teens due to freakish size and potential. He would need to put some weight on, but I wonder if he would make a better 3-4 DE rather than OLB?

Jordan has a lot of upside. I see him going in the mid teens due to freakish size and potential. He would need to put some weight on, but I wonder if he would make a better 3-4 DE rather than OLB?

He'd be a perfect SOLB for this defense. I'd let Barwin go and go into next year with Brooks and Merci as starters with Jordan behind Reed and Braman and some other guy (lower round Draft picks/Free agents) behind Merci.

I think he'd be an excellent 34 OLB rather than a DE in a 43 because he'd get to show off his coverage skills. Dude is surprisingly fluid in coverage...